Email This Story

Party-switching limits in Kansas governor's hands

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Republican Gov. Sam Brownback has until March 31 to decide the fate of the Kansas GOP's plan to make it harder for voters to switch parties before primary elections.

The Legislature delivered a bill containing the GOP plan to Brownback on Friday. He has 10 days under the state Constitution to sign the measure, veto it or let it become law without his signature.

The bill prohibits voters registered with a political party from switching their affiliation between the June 1 candidate filing deadline until after results from the August party primaries are certified.

Current law allows voters to change their registration up to two weeks before the primary.

Republicans contend the change would protect the integrity of party contests. Democrats have said the bill would restrict voting rights.